IACHR grants precautionary measures in favor of Lucas Jonas Hunter in Venezuela

March 25, 2025

Washington, DC—On March 22, 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 27/2025, through which it granted precautionary measures in favor of Lucas Jonas Hunter in Venezuela after determining that his rights were at serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm.

According to the information provided by the requesting party, Lucas Jonas Hunter is a dual French and American citizen and is an investment analyst. Mr. Hunter, who does not speak Spanish, was in northern Colombia to go kite-surfing when he went missing on January 7, 2025. He was riding his motorcycle near Paraguanchón, in the department of La Guajira, when he was detained by officials of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Guard at a border checkpoint. His whereabouts have remained unknown since.

The requesting party alleges that Mr. Hunter's detention was arbitrary and that he has been denied consular assistance from both the French and US authorities, nor have translation services been provided to him. Furthermore, Mr. Hunter has not been permitted to communicate with his family or legal representatives. Despite extensive efforts to locate him—including visits to the General Military Counterintelligence Authority headquarters, the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, and Rodeo I prison (Miranda)—officials have denied that he is being held at any of these facilities. As a result, the requesting party believes that this case amounts to an enforced disappearance.

Moreover, attempts to file formal complaints with the Ombud's Office and the Public Ministry in Caracas regarding the crime of enforced disappearance have been unsuccessful. Attempts to submit habeas corpus petitions before Caracas courts have also been obstructed. Likewise, the Venezuelan State has not responded to the IACHR's requests for information.

After analyzing the factual and legal allegations, the IACHR determined the proposed beneficiary's situation to be both serious and urgent, as his whereabouts remain unknown. Consequently, in accordance with article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR calls on the Venezuelan authorities to:

1. take immediate steps to protect Mr. Hunter's rights to life and personal integrity. Specifically, it should:
   1. provide clear information as to whether Mr. Hunter is in State custody and regarding the circumstances surrounding his detention, detailing the measures taken to determine his whereabouts and fate;
   2. clarify whether Mr. Hunter has been brought before a competent court to review his detention, and if any charges have been brought against him;
   3. identify the court handling any criminal case brought against Mr. Hunter, if applicable, or explain why he has not yet been released;
   4. allow Mr. Hunter to communicate with his family and trusted legal representatives, granting them full access to his legal records (if applicable);
   5. clarify whether Mr. Hunter has been provided translation or interpretation services to ensure he fully understands his situation and can exercise his rights;
   6. facilitate communication between Mr. Hunter and the countries of which he is a national (France and the United States); and
2. report on the steps being taken to investigate the circumstances that led to this precautionary measure to prevent such violations from recurring.

The granting of these precautionary measures and their implementation by the Venezuelan State does not constitute a ruling on any future petitions that may be filed with the inter-American system concerning violations of rights protected by the applicable instruments.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 059/25

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